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KAUMUDI USA ONLINE EDITION LAUNCHED
Ajay Ghosh
Prayers,
speeches, felicitations, and cultural events mark
the inauguration ceremony at new york
Kaumudiusa.com, a repository of
news, views and information on and about the Non-Resident
Indian community in North America, an online edition
of South India's leading daily, Kerala Kaumudi,
was launched on Sunday, January 27, 2002 at the
Kerala Center, Long Island, New York. Attended
by over 200 Indian American community leaders,
writers and well-wishers of Kaumudi, the more
than three-hour long event was packed with speeches,
felicitations, songs and dances, the function
was a grand affair. A folder containing the message
of the Editor in Chief of Kerala Kaumudi Sri M
S Mani, the inaugural editorial and the mission
statement was distributed.
Deepu Ravi, Managing Director of
Kaumudi Cyber Studio, in his opening remarks,
took the audience to the early times in the history
of Kaumudi. Kaumudi was founded in 1911 at a time
when Kerala was going through a very turbulent
period, both socially and politically, he said.
"From its very inception, Kerala Kaumudi
has strived to be a champion of the cause of the
minority and the downtrodden," he reminded.
President Narayanan singled out
Kaumudi for its social commitment, Ravi informed
the audience. "Kaumudi has become a catalyst
in the emergence of Kerala as a modern society,"
he said. Today, as time and technology have changed,
Ravi said, Kaumudi has also moved forward."
In its first week of existence, the site got less
than 5,000 hits, whereas today Kaumudi online
gets 280,000 hits on an average per day he informed
the audience.
Describing the purpose of the new
site Ravi stated that it would be a news and information
site dedicated to the Indian community of North
America. He wants this to be a new source of news
and resources to the Indian community, he said.
Describing himself to be an ordinary
Malayalee, who is not a leader of any group, but
one who reads Malayalam literature whenever he
finds some free time from his very busy schedule,
Madhavan V. Pillai, MD, chief guest said, he considers
it fortunate to be the chief guest at the launching
of the online edition of a leading publication
of Kerala. When the future of Malayalam was at
stake, the medium of newspapers, and cinema, sustained
it, he said.
"Kaumudi has been a symbol
of the struggles of the downtrodden and the marginalized
in Kerala throughout its existence," Dr.
Pillai said. Describing some of the recent statements
of US Secretary of State, Collin Powell, he said,
Powell has been able to sympathize with the struggles
of the suffering, because he came from such a
background. News media like Kaumudi has been able
to speak for the poor and the downtrodden, because
it has taken upon itself the task of speaking
for deprived sections of the society.
Dr. Pillai said, "It's the
individuals and their experiences that have brought
about a transformation in the society. In Kerala,
the trend has been to put down this individuality,
which must stop. It's important to give importance
to individuals and their achievements."
Pointing to Deepu Ravi, the pioneering
individual behind the launch of this online edition,
Dr. Pillai said, "When I heard of Ravi returning
to India after completing his studies abroad,
I was thrilled. I want him to be another Ambedkar,
another Swaminathan, and another Sam Pitroda,
who brought about revolutions in their own areas
of work."
Finally, he concluded his lengthy
inaugural address by reminding the Kaumudi publishers
that it was not the NRI community, which invited
Kaumudi to USA. "You have come on your own,
realizing the need to fill a big gap. Therefore,
you have a big task ahead of you and you have
many responsibilities to fulfill."
Professor Joseph Cheruvelil in his
address said, "With the launch of the online
edition, you are able to reach many more people
than ever before and I wish that this medium is
being used to propagate justice, truth and brotherhood,
and that you are able to bring in the youth to
appreciate Indian culture and traditions."
He appealed that Kaumudi is "truly be able
to enable the youth to realize their fuller selves."
The Most Reverend Dr. Zachariah
Mar Nicholovos, in his felicitation message, said,
"Times have changed with modern technology
enabling us to close the gap created by distance.
Kaumudi has taken upon itself in bringing the
truth to all, through this modern means of communications."
He hoped that Kaumudi is able to give "our
culture to the new generations wherever they are."
Among others who spoke and felicitated
the management of Kaumudi included, Newly elected
Honorable Councilman George James, Joyan Kumarakam,
Saroja Varghese, both writers, Dr. Chandrasekaran,
Member, Advisory Panel, Abraham Thomas, Dallas
Bureau Chief, Venu Gopal, President, Sree Narayana
Association of North America, Chacko Sankarathil,
Philadelphia Bureau Chief, Dr. A.K.B. Pillai,
and Thomas Mulackal.
Prasannan Gangadharan, General Manager,
Overseas Operations, welcomed the guests, speakers,
and well-wishers, who had come to participate
in the launch program. Earlier, the program began
with a prayer song, very devoutly sung by Prasanna
and group. Soon after his inaugural address, Dr.
M V Pillai lit the traditional lamp and inaugurated
the launch of the online edition, KaumudiUSA.com,
as an enthusiastic audience cheered loudly.
Udayabhanu Panickar, USA Editorial
Desk Chief, coordinated the event on stage and
thanked everyone. In his occasional remarks Mr.
Udayabhanu Panickar informed the audience that
their remarks and comments will be taken into
consideration and Kaumudi USA just like other
Kaumudi publications shall always be with the
truth. Quoting from the first editorial of Kaumudi
USA he stated, "the needs of the young generation
occupy a key place in this novel undertaking.
They are the future of our community in the US
and the site shall reflect their hopes and aspirations
and, above all, their achievements.
We are putting in place a broad based team that
shall help you access the best community information
center in the Cyber world. Your vision, your views
and comments will guide us in this endeavor."
Chakrashri Group put up a brilliant Indian classical
dance program, choreographed and performed by
Sridhar Shanmugam along with his group. Aishwarya
Santhosh and Balakrishnan delighted the audience
with songs in Malayalam.
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